The Urals are called the region of the Russian Federation, which conditionally divides the whole country into two parts: European and Asian.
Ural regions
Geographically, this area is a region of the Urals and the foothills (Valikov mountain system). The length of the ridge is almost 2 thousand km, the length is meridian. The relief of the mountains varies greatly throughout the ridge; therefore, 5 separate regions of the Urals are distinguished. We are talking about such regions as:
- Circumpolar.
- Polar.
- Northern.
- Middle.
- Southern Urals.
Polar Ural
The northernmost part of the mountain system is the Polar Urals. It has a length of 400 km. The borders extend from the northern point of the Konstantinov stone to the southern border of the Khulga River. This is a fairly high part of the mountain system, the middle peaks have a height of 850 to 1,200 m. The most common is Mount Payer with a height of more than 1,500 m. The date of origin of the hills is the era of Hercynian folding. The relief of the Polar Urals is characterized by wide valleys and glacial structures. In some areas there are small permafrost deposits.
Almost all regions of the Urals have a poor climate. It is quite severe, sharply continental. Winters are snowy, frosty, air temperature can drop to -55 ° .
In the region, rainfall is unevenly distributed. The western slopes receive more precipitation than the eastern. Due to the constant rain and snowfall, the region abounds with lakes. They are mainly of karst origin and shallow depth.
The flora and fauna of the region are scarce. Vegetation is represented by taiga forests, but only in the southern region. And the only representative of the fauna that is often found in this territory is the reindeer.
There is no permanent population in the region. The nearest city is Vorkuta.
Subpolar Urals
The circumpolar region is the next region that can be seen going down to the south. Its borders extend from the Khulga River in the north to the southern border of the town of Wind Nest. This area is known as a representative of the highest peaks of the mountain system. The highest point - the city of Narodnaya - is located here. Its height is 1 895 m. In total there are 6 peaks with a height of more than 1,600 m.
This territory, like other regions of the Urals, is very popular among climbers. Hundreds of travelers climb the peaks annually.
North Ural
The Northern Urals is the most difficult to cross. The southern borders of the region run along the foot of two mountains: Kosvinsky and Konzhakovsky Kamen, and the northern to the Shchuger River. The width of the Ural Mountains in this region is 60 km, and the ridges run in several ridges parallel to each other. There are no settlements or people in the Northern region. At the foot of the east and west of the mountain are impenetrable forests and swamps. The highest point in the region is Telposiz (more than 1,600 m.)
There are more than 200 lakes in the Northern Urals. However, almost all of them are small in size and no vegetation around. Sometimes they are covered by kurums (placers of stones). At an altitude of more than 1,000 m is the largest and deepest lake in the Northern Urals - Telpos. Its depth is 50 m, the water is very clean. There are no representatives of aquatic animals, in particular fish.
In this area, brown coal, bauxite, manganese, as well as ores: iron ore and other types are mined.
Middle or Central Urals
The Middle Urals (another name is Central) is the lowest part of the mountain system. Average heights are 550-800 m. The borders of the region extend in the north from the town of Konzhakovsky Kamen to the northern borders of the mountains Jurma and Oslyanka. The peaks of the region are gently outlined, rocky mountains are not found here. The highest point of the Middle Urals - the city of Middle Baseg (almost 1,000 m) - this is the only peak of this height in this area.
The climate in the Middle Urals is formed by winds that go here from the Atlantic Ocean. For this reason, the weather here is changeable, sharp temperature fluctuations can occur even during the day. The average January temperatures are -18-20 ° , July + 18-19 ° . Frosts can reach -50 ° C. Winter lasts for 5 months, it is characterized by a stable snow cover from November to April.
Some regions of the Urals (including the North) are represented by the taiga; closer to the south, you can increasingly find the steppe area. The fauna is scarce. The climate, hunting and poaching played a large role in this. For the last reason, you will no longer find wild horses, bustards and saigas here.
Southern District
The southernmost region of the mountains is the Southern Urals. It passes along the borders of the river of the same name and the reservoir Ufa. Length - 550 km. The relief here is represented by complex shapes. The climate is continental with hot summers and cold winters. Snow cover is stable in winter, its height is 50-60 cm. There are many rivers in the region, they have access to the basin of the Caspian Sea. The largest rivers are Inzer, Ufa.
This geographical region has a very diverse vegetation, and it is absolutely different on the eastern slopes and the western. Fauna is also represented by a large number of animals. It is worth noting that the southern region is the richest of all of the above.